“You’ll look fine Annie,” Jeff assured her.
“What are you a mind reader?
“You’re not that hard to figure out sometimes,” he replied.
Annie pondered those words for a moment after they got in the car and started off. She wondered to herself how she let Jeff talk her into this ski trip anyway. Annie, ice and cold weather did not mix. It was not a big secret that the only time Annie liked ice was if it was crushed and blended with liberal doses of tequila, and perhaps, a lime wedge and salt shaker in easy reach.
“Relax Annie,” Jeff started, “and I’m quite certain you’ll get along fine with Frank and Kate. You always seemed to before.”
Frank was one of Jeff’s co-workers at the office, and Kate was his girlfriend. They did seem like a fun couple, the few times Annie had met them at Jeff’s office parties. Their company should ease this foray into the world of skiing, Annie thought to herself as visions of snowdrifts and avalanches danced in her head. Besides, Frank was sort of nice to look at, and his girlfriend Kate was pretty hot herself.
The other couple was soon picked up and the four of them seem to converse quite easily, making the three hour trek to the mountain lodge seem like a much shorter trip. Annie was actually quite surprised when Jeff announced they had arrived already.
After parking the car, Jeff and Frank went into the resort office and took care of the business end while the two girls stood outside and admired the view.
“This is really quite spectacular,” Annie remarked.
“This your first time?” Kate questioned.
“Ah, yeah,” Annie muttered.
“I think you’ll have a great time,” Kate replied with a smile as she reached over and touched Annie’s hand.
When the men remerged, the two couples grabbed their belongings and made their way to the cabin that would be their home for the next few days. When they arrived at the entrance, Annie could not help but be impressed by the imposing stone steps that led to the entrance of the log cabin, and once inside she was equally impressed.
“Nice,” she smiled at Jeff.
“See Annie, I knew you’d like it here.”
Annie put down her things in the living room and took a look around. There was a fully equipped kitchen and dining area, which was impressive, had Annie any intention of cooking. Even more impressive though, was the view out the large windows in the main living area. The view over the mountains was truly breathtaking, with sun perched almost majestically over the wisps of clouds that skimmed the snow-capped mountaintops.
“It’s really beautiful, isn’t it?” Jeff asked as he snuck up behind Annie and gave her a kiss on the neck.
“Yes, it is,” she agreed.
“Let’s get on our ski gear and hit the slopes while the sun’s still up,” Frank remarked.
“Good idea,” Jeff agreed.
Annie thought about it. In her mind, she was secretly hoping the first night would consist of something a bit less stressful, like wine and cheese tasting.
“Come on Annie,” Kate started, “we’ll help you along.”
Annie somewhat reluctantly agreed, and soon the group was outside with Annie standing precariously atop the beginner’s slope. Jeff, ever the showoff, skied up alongside his girlfriend creating a shower of powdered white stuff which created a rainbow effect amidst the sun’s rays. Annie just looked down at the newly formed snow covering her new boots and shook her head.
“Sorry about that Annie,” Jeff said as he removed his goggles. He had a way of looking at Annie which always disarmed her.
“Sometimes I wonder what I see in you,” she said coyly.
“Annie, you really need to try going down the hill,” Jeff said as he gave Annie a swift rap on the butt, and with that, Annie was suddenly on her way down the hill. From the sounds of her screams though, one could easily get the distinct impression that she wasn’t quite prepared for the journey.
Jeff skied down the hill and met his girlfriend who had landed on her butt somewhat towards the bottom in a small snowdrift. Annie looked up at him with one of those looks that could be registered as a lethal weapon.
“Don’t just stand there, at least help me up,” she groaned, extending her arm.
“Sorry Annie, we’ll just have to take this skiing thing a bit slow I guess,” Jeff said almost apologetically.
“Yes, I guess you guess right.”
The rest of the afternoon went slightly better, though it was quite obvious that Annie was not about to secure a position on the Olympic Ski Team any time in the near future.
The group soon retired back to the warmth and comfort of the cabin, much to the joy of Annie. A wonderful dinner was prepared by the group, consisting of filet mignons, roast baby potatoes and asparagus spears. Afterwards, someone suggested playing poker, and a bottle of Jose Cuervo was brought out along with the usual accoutrements consisting of cut lime and a salt shaker.
“Ah, my Latin lover Jose,” Annie joked, smiling up at Jeff, “I hope you don’t mind sharing me.”
“I just may have to think about that,” Jeff smiled back.